Boyne Valley Hotel to Reopen
An iconic hotel on the 25km Dawes Range “tunnel” section of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is making a comeback after being closed for nearly five years, offering hope for starving and dehydrated trail users. Passionate rail trail supporters Craig and Desley O’Grady have taken the plunge with the Grand Hotel Many Peaks after catching up with a long-time friend and seasoned hotel licensee while supposedly taking a holiday.
For Desley, reviving the Grand has long been a dream. With the popular Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail out the back and State Route 69 out front, the hotel’s demise was a disaster for the local community and visitors alike. Desley, a recently retired member of the Gladstone Regional Council whose family roots span generations in the Boyne Valley, had been working behind the scenes to bring it back. The focus changed when their Alice Springs friend agreed to become head chef.
The Grand Hotel is steeped in history. Built in Gladstone in 1891, it was dismantled and transported 100km to Many Peaks (then Manandoo) in 1908. It reopened the following year, becoming a cherished gathering place for the community. Over a century later, the O’Gradys are committed to preserving the hotel’s charm while adding new energy and opportunities. The situation has become more urgent with the closure of the cafe in nearby Builyan for the summer.
Mr and Mrs O’Grady are planning a vibrant schedule of entertainment, starting with a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring singer Dan Pastoor, with many more acts lined up for future weekends. The hard work started on Saturday, December 7, with a community working bee. “Since the announcement, we’ve been overwhelmed with offers of help from locals and friends,” Mr O’Grady said. “It’s heartwarming to see how much the Grand Hotel means to everyone.”
Mrs O’Grady, who is the Central Qld rep for Rail Trails Australia, said the hotel would initially open six days a week. “Meals will be served at lunch and dinner time, with a limited menu on weekdays and a full menu from Friday to Sunday,” she said. Accommodation and pub camping will also be available from early 2025. “A pub is the social fabric of a community, and we’re proud to bring that back to Many Peaks,” Mrs O’Grady said.
Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett was excited to hear the news. “Desley and Craig have been huge advocates for the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and the reopening of the Many Peaks Grand Hotel provides another opportunity to encourage visitors to enjoy everything the Boyne Valley has to offer,” he said. Nicola Smith, CEO of regional tourist organisation GAPDL, said it was an exciting milestone for tourism in the Boyne Valley. “The Grand Hotel’s connection to the popular Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail makes it an invaluable addition to the region, enhancing our tourism offering and creating even more reasons to explore the stunning Boyne Valley.”
Follow the Grand Hotel Many Peaks on Facebook for updates.
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One comment on “Boyne Valley Hotel to Reopen”
great news the pub opening will attract may more rail trail riders and create an atmosphere, we camped in and rode the trail from Builyan to Kalpowar and back again the end of October 2024, the trail from Builyan to Golembil is hard going and unrideable in a few places, from Golembil through the six tunnels to Barrimoon is a lot better, we've ridden quite a few trails in NSW, Vic and Qld this trail has the potential to be one of the best